• GOOD TIME Tops Film Comment Magazine’s 2017 Best-of-Year LISTS

    [caption id="attachment_22877" align="aligncenter" width="1200"]Good Time Good Time[/caption] Josh and Benny Safdie’s Good Time took the top spot among films released in 2017 on Film Comment magazine’s annual end-of-year list. Other top ranking films include Terence Davies’s A Quiet Passion, and Olivier Assayas’s Personal Shopper. Of the films that screened at festivals worldwide but have not announced stateside distribution, Pedro Pinho’s The Nothing Factory, Sergei Loznitsa’s A Gentle Creature, and Heinz Emigholz’s Streetscapes [Dialogue] received the top rankings. Published since 1962, Film Comment magazine features in-depth reviews, critical analysis, and feature coverage of mainstream, art-house, and avant-garde filmmaking from around the world.

    Film Comment’s Top 10 Films Released in 2017:

    1. Good Time Josh and Benny Safdie, USA 2. A Quiet Passion Terence Davies, U.K./Belgium 3. Personal Shopper Olivier Assayas, France 4. Get Out Jordan Peele, USA 5. Nocturama Bertrand Bonello, France 6. Ex Libris: The New York Public Library Frederick Wiseman, USA 7. The Death of Louis XIV Albert Serra, France/Portugal/Spain 8. Faces Places Agnès Varda and JR, France 9. The Lost City of Z James Gray, USA 10. Lady Bird Greta Gerwig, USA Film Comment’s survey also ranks films that have screened and made notable appearances at festivals throughout the year, but remain without U.S. distribution at press time.

    Film Comment’s Top 10 Unreleased Films of 2017:

    1. The Nothing Factory Pedro Pinho, Portugal 2. A Gentle Creature Sergei Loznitsa, France/Germany/Lithuania/The Netherlands 3. Streetscapes [Dialogue] Heinz Emigholz, Germany 4. Milla Valérie Massadian, France 5. Tonsler Park Kevin Jerome Everson, USA 6. Mrs. Fang Wang Bing, France/China/Germany 7. Spoor Agnieszka Holland and Kasia Adamik, Poland/Germany/Czech Republic 8. Le Fort des fous Narimane Mari, France/Algeria/Greece/Germany/Qatar 9. 3/4 Ilian Metev, Bulgaria 10. The Venerable W. Barbet Schroeder, France/Switzerland “Out of the hundreds of movies released in 2017, our esteemed contributors have distilled the year into an energized and energizing lineup of essential films,” said Editor-in-Chief Nicolas Rapold. “This selection reflects Film Comment’s love for the art and craft of cinema in its many forms, ranging from first-time filmmakers to 43rd-timers. Not to mention film’s many seasons: the top five all opened before the traditional fall frenzy of releases. Read all about it in Film Comment.”

    THE FILM COMMENT BEST OF 2017: THE COMPLETE LIST OF TOP 20 TITLES

    RELEASED IN 2017

    1. Good Time Josh and Benny Safdie, USA 2. A Quiet Passion Terence Davies, U.K./Belgium 3. Personal Shopper Olivier Assayas, France 4. Get Out Jordan Peele, USA 5. Nocturama Bertrand Bonello, France 6. Ex Libris: The New York Public Library Frederick Wiseman, USA 7. The Death of Louis XIV Albert Serra, France/Portugal/Spain 8. Faces Places Agnès Varda and JR, France 9. The Lost City of Z James Gray, USA 10. Lady Bird Greta Gerwig, USA Rankings #11-20 11. The Human Surge Eduardo Williams, Argentina 12. The Other Side of Hope Aki Kaurismäki, Finland 13. The Florida Project Sean Baker, USA 14. Dawson City: Frozen Time Bill Morrison, USA 15. Phantom Thread Paul Thomas Anderson, USA 16. On the Beach at Night Alone Hong Sangsoo, South Korea 17. Wonderstruck Todd Haynes, USA 18. Mudbound Dee Rees, USA 19. BPM: Beats Per Minute Robin Campillo, France 20. The Square Ruben Östlund, Sweden

    FILMS WITHOUT DISTRIBUTION IN 2017

    1. The Nothing Factory Pedro Pinho, Portugal 2. A Gentle Creature Sergei Loznitsa, France/Germany/Lithuania/The Netherlands 3. Streetscapes [Dialogue] Heinz Emigholz, Germany 4. Milla Valérie Massadian, France 5. Tonsler Park Kevin Jerome Everson, USA 6. Mrs. Fang Wang Bing, France/China/Germany 7. Spoor Agnieszka Holland and Kasia Adamik, Poland/Germany/Czech Republic 8. Le Fort des fous Narimane Mari, France/Algeria/Greece/Germany/Qatar 9. 3/4 Ilian Metev, Bulgaria 10. The Venerable W. Barbet Schroeder, France/Switzerland Rankings #11-20 11. Golden Exits Alex Ross Perry, USA 12. Mrs. Hyde Serge Bozon, France 13. The Wandering Soap Opera Raúl Ruiz & Valeria Sarmiento, Chile 14. Life and Nothing More Antonio Méndez Esparza, Spain/USA 15. Until the Birds Return Karim Moussaoui, France/Algeria/Germany 16. Good Luck Ben Russell, France/Germany 17. Distant Constellation Shevaun Mizrahi, Turkey/USA 18. The Quartet (Elohim, Abaton, Coda, Ode) Nathaniel Dorsky, USA 19. Drift Helena Wittmann, Germany 20. Untitled Matthew Glawogger & Monika Willi, Austria

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  • “Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri” Tops Nominations for 24th SAG Awards

    [caption id="attachment_23572" align="aligncenter" width="1000"]THREE BILLBOARDS OUTSIDE EBBING, MISSOURI Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri[/caption] “Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri” leads the nominations for the 24th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards with 4 nods including Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture. “Lady Bird” closely followed with 3 nods also including Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture. The 24th Screen Actors Guild Awards will be simulcast live on TNT and TBS on Sunday, January 21, 2018 at 8 p.m. (ET) / 5 p.m. (PT).

    24th ANNUAL SCREEN ACTORS GUILD AWARDS NOMINATIONS

    The Theatrical Motion Picture Nominees are:

    Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Leading Role JUDI DENCH / Queen Victoria – “VICTORIA & ABDUL” (Focus Features) SALLY HAWKINS / Elisa Esposito – “THE SHAPE OF WATER” (Fox Searchlight) FRANCES McDORMAND / Mildred – “THREE BILLBOARDS OUTSIDE EBBING, MISSOURI” (Fox Searchlight) MARGOT ROBBIE / Tonya Harding – “I, TONYA” (Neon) SAOIRSE RONAN / Lady Bird McPherson – “LADY BIRD” (A24) Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Leading Role TIMOTHÉE CHALAMET / Elio – “CALL ME BY YOUR NAME” (Sony Pictures Classics) JAMES FRANCO / Tommy Wiseau – “THE DISASTER ARTIST” (A24) DANIEL KALUUYA / Chris Washington – “GET OUT” (Universal Pictures) GARY OLDMAN / Winston Churchill – “DARKEST HOUR” (Focus Features) DENZEL WASHINGTON / Roman J. Israel, Esq. – “ROMAN J. ISRAEL, ESQ.” (Columbia Pictures) Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Supporting Role MARY J. BLIGE / Florence Jackson – “MUDBOUND” (Netflix) HONG CHAU / Ngoc Lan Tran – “DOWNSIZING” (Paramount Pictures) HOLLY HUNTER / Beth – “THE BIG SICK” (Amazon Studios) ALLISON JANNEY / LaVona Golden – “I, TONYA” (Neon) LAURIE METCALF / Marion McPherson – “LADY BIRD” (A24) Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Supporting Role STEVE CARELL / Bobby Riggs – “BATTLE OF THE SEXES” (Fox Searchlight) WILLEM DAFOE / Bobby – “THE FLORIDA PROJECT” (A24) WOODY HARRELSON / Willoughby – “THREE BILLBOARDS OUTSIDE EBBING, MISSOURI” (Fox Searchlight) RICHARD JENKINS / Giles – “THE SHAPE OF WATER” (Fox Searchlight) SAM ROCKWELL / Dixon – “THREE BILLBOARDS OUTSIDE EBBING, MISSOURI” (Fox Searchlight) Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture THE BIG SICK (Amazon Studios) ADEEL AKHTAR / Naveed HOLLY HUNTER / Beth ZOE KAZAN / Emily ANUPAM KHER / Azmat KUMAIL NANJIANI / Kumail RAY ROMANO / Terry ZENOBIA SHROFF / Sharmeen GET OUT (Universal Pictures) CALEB LANDRY JONES / Jeremy Armitage DANIEL KALUUYA / Chris Washington CATHERINE KEENER / Missy Armitage STEPHEN ROOT / Jim Hudson LAKEITH STANFIELD / Andrew/Logan King BRADLEY WHITFORD / Dean Armitage ALLISON WILLIAMS / Rose Armitage LADY BIRD (A24) TIMOTHÉE CHALAMET / Kyle Scheible BEANIE FELDSTEIN / Julie Steffans LUCAS HEDGES / Danny O’Neill TRACY LETTS / Larry McPherson STEPHEN McKINLEY HENDERSON / Father Leviatch LAURIE METCALF / Marion McPherson JORDAN RODRIGUES / Miguel McPherson SAOIRSE RONAN / Lady Bird McPherson ODEYA RUSH / Jenna Walton MARIELLE SCOTT / Shelly Yuhan LOIS SMITH / Sister Sarah Joan MUDBOUND (Netflix) JONATHAN BANKS / Pappy McAllan MARY J. BLIGE / Florence Jackson JASON CLARKE / Henry McAllan GARRETT HEDLUND / Jamie McAllan JASON MITCHELL / Ronsel Jackson ROB MORGAN / Hap Jackson CAREY MULLIGAN / Laura McAllan THREE BILLBOARDS OUTSIDE EBBING, MISSOURI (Fox Searchlight) ABBIE CORNISH / Anne PETER DINKLAGE / James WOODY HARRELSON / Willoughby JOHN HAWKES / Charlie LUCAS HEDGES / Robbie ŽELJKO IVANEK / Desk Sgt. CALEB LANDRY JONES / Red Welby FRANCES McDORMAND / Mildred CLARKE PETERS / Abercrombie SAM ROCKWELL / Dixon SAMARA WEAVING / Penelope Outstanding Action Performance by a Stunt Ensemble in a Motion Picture “BABY DRIVER” (TriStar Pictures and MRC) “DUNKIRK” (Warner Bros. Pictures) “LOGAN” (20th Century Fox) “WAR FOR THE PLANET OF THE APES” (20th Century Fox) “WONDER WOMAN” (Warner Bros. Pictures)

    The Television Nominees are:

    Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Television Movie or Limited Series LAURA DERN / Renata Klein – “BIG LITTLE LIES” (HBO) NICOLE KIDMAN / Celeste Wright – “BIG LITTLE LIES” (HBO) JESSICA LANGE / Joan Crawford – “FEUD: BETTE AND JOAN” (FX Networks) SUSAN SARANDON / Bette Davis – “FEUD: BETTE AND JOAN” (FX Networks) REESE WITHERSPOON / Madeline MacKenzie – “BIG LITTLE LIES” (HBO) Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Television Movie or Limited Series BENEDICT CUMBERBATCH / Sherlock Holmes – “SHERLOCK: THE LYING DETECTIVE” (WGBH/Masterpiece) JEFF DANIELS / Frank Griffin – “GODLESS” (Netflix) ROBERT DE NIRO / Bernie Madoff – “THE WIZARD OF LIES” (HBO) GEOFFREY RUSH / Albert Einstein – “GENIUS” (National Geographic) ALEXANDER SKARSGÅRD / Perry Wright – “BIG LITTLE LIES” (HBO) Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Drama Series MILLIE BOBBY BROWN / Eleven – “STRANGER THINGS” (Netflix) CLAIRE FOY / Queen Elizabeth II – “THE CROWN” (Netflix) LAURA LINNEY / Wendy Byrde – “OZARK” (Netflix) ELISABETH MOSS / Offred/June – “THE HANDMAID’S TALE” (Hulu) ROBIN WRIGHT / Claire Underwood – “HOUSE OF CARDS” (Netflix) Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Drama Series JASON BATEMAN / Martin “Marty” Byrde – “OZARK” (Netflix) STERLING K. BROWN / Randall Pearson – “THIS IS US” (NBC) PETER DINKLAGE / Tyrion Lannister – “GAME OF THRONES” (HBO) DAVID HARBOUR / Jim Hopper – “STRANGER THINGS” (Netflix) BOB ODENKIRK / Jimmy McGill/Saul Goodman – “BETTER CALL SAUL” (AMC) Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Comedy Series UZO ADUBA / Suzanne “Crazy Eyes” Warren – “ORANGE IS THE NEW BLACK” (Netflix) ALISON BRIE / Ruth Wilder – “GLOW” (Netflix) JANE FONDA / Grace Hanson – “GRACE AND FRANKIE” (Netflix) JULIA LOUIS-DREYFUS / Selina Meyer – “VEEP” (HBO) LILY TOMLIN / Frankie Bergstein – “GRACE AND FRANKIE” (Netflix) Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Comedy Series ANTHONY ANDERSON / Andre “Dre” Johnson – “BLACK-ISH” (ABC) AZIZ ANSARI / Dev – “MASTER OF NONE” (Netflix) LARRY DAVID / Himself – “CURB YOUR ENTHUSIASM” (HBO) SEAN HAYES / Jack McFarland – “WILL & GRACE” (NBC) WILLIAM H. MACY / Frank Gallagher – “SHAMELESS” (Showtime) MARC MARON / Sam Sylvia – “GLOW” (Netflix) Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series THE CROWN (Netflix) CLAIRE FOY / Queen Elizabeth II VICTORIA HAMILTON / Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother VANESSA KIRBY / Princess Margaret ANTON LESSER / Prime Minister Harold Macmillan MATT SMITH / Philip, Duke of Edinburgh GAME OF THRONES (HBO) ALFIE ALLEN / Theon Greyjoy JACOB ANDERSON / Grey Worm PILOU ASBÆK / Euron Greyjoy HAFÞÓR JÚLÍUS BJÖRNSSON / The Mountain JOHN BRADLEY / Samwell Tarly JIM BROADBENT / Archmaester Ebrose GWENDOLINE CHRISTIE / Brienne EMILIA CLARKE / Daenerys Targaryen NIKOLAJ COSTER-WALDAU / Jaime Lannister LIAM CUNNINGHAM / Davos Seaworth PETER DINKLAGE / Tyrion Lannister RICHARD DORMER / Beric Dondarrion NATHALIE EMMANUEL / Missandei JAMES FAULKNER / Randyll Tarly JEROME FLYNN / Bronn AIDAN GILLEN / Petyr Baelish IAIN GLEN / Jorah Mormont KIT HARINGTON / Jon Snow LENA HEADEY / Cersei Lannister ISAAC HEMPSTEAD WRIGHT / Bran Stark CONLETH HILL / Varys KRISTOFER HIVJU / Tormund Giantsbane TOM HOPPER / Dickon Tarly ANTON LESSER / Qyburn RORY McCANN / The Hound STAZ NAIR / Qhono RICHARD RYCROFT / Maester Wolkan SOPHIE TURNER / Sansa Stark RUPERT VANSITTART / Yohn Royce MAISIE WILLIAMS / Arya Stark THE HANDMAID’S TALE (Hulu) MADELINE BREWER / Janine/Ofwarren/Ofdaniel AMANDA BRUGEL / Rita ANN DOWD / Aunt Lydia O-T FAGBENLE / Luke JOSEPH FIENNES / Commander Waterford TATTIAWNA JONES / Ofglen #2 MAX MINGHELLA / Nick Blaine ELISABETH MOSS / Offred/June YVONNE STRAHOVSKI / Serena Joy SAMIRA WILEY / Moira STRANGER THINGS (Netflix) SEAN ASTIN / Bob Newby MILLIE BOBBY BROWN / Eleven CARA BUONO / Karen Wheeler JOE CHREST / Ted Wheeler CATHERINE CURTIN / Claudia Henderson (Dustin’s Mom) NATALIA DYER / Nancy Wheeler DAVID HARBOUR / Jim Hopper CHARLIE HEATON / Jonathan Byers JOE KEERY / Steve Harrington GATEN MATARAZZO / Dustin Henderson CALEB McLAUGHLIN / Lucas Sinclair DACRE MONTGOMERY / Billy PAUL REISER / Dr. Owens WINONA RYDER / Joyce Byers NOAH SCHNAPP / Will Byers SADIE SINK / Max FINN WOLFHARD / Mike Wheeler THIS IS US (NBC) ERIS BAKER / Tess Pearson ALEXANDRA BRECKENRIDGE / Sophie STERLING K. BROWN / Randall Pearson LONNIE CHAVIS / Young Randall JUSTIN HARTLEY / Kevin Pearson FAITHE HERMAN / Annie Pearson RON CEPHAS JONES / William Hill CHRISSY METZ / Kate Pearson MANDY MOORE / Rebecca Pearson CHRIS SULLIVAN / Toby Damon MILO VENTIMIGLIA / Jack Pearson SUSAN KELECHI WATSON / Beth Pearson HANNAH ZEILE / Teenage Kate Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series BLACK-ISH (ABC) ANTHONY ANDERSON / Andre “Dre” Johnson MILES BROWN / Jack Johnson DEON COLE / Charlie Telphy LAURENCE FISHBURNE / Pops JENIFER LEWIS / Ruby PETER MACKENZIE / Mr. Stevens MARSAI MARTIN / Diane Johnson JEFF MEACHAM / Josh TRACEE ELLIS ROSS / Dr. Rainbow Johnson MARCUS SCRIBNER / Andre Johnson, Jr. YARA SHAHIDI / Zoey Johnson CURB YOUR ENTHUSIASM (HBO) TED DANSON / Himself LARRY DAVID / Himself SUSIE ESSMAN / Susie Greene JEFF GARLIN / Jeff Greene CHERYL HINES / Cheryl David JB SMOOVE / Leon Black GLOW (Netflix) BRITT BARON / Justine Biagi ALISON BRIE / Ruth Wilder KIMMY GATEWOOD / Stacey Beswick BETTY GILPIN / Debbie Eagan REBEKKA JOHNSON / Dawn Rivecca CHRIS LOWELL / Bash SUNITA MANI / Arthie Premkumar MARC MARON / Sam Sylvia KATE NASH / Rhonda Richardson SYDELLE NOEL / Cherry Bang MARIANNA PALKA / Reggie Walsh GAYLE RANKIN / Sheila the She-Wolf BASHIR SALAHUDDIN / Keith RICH SOMMER / Mark KIA STEVENS / Tammé Dawson JACKIE TOHN / Melanie Rosen ELLEN WONG / Jenny Chey BRITNEY YOUNG / Carmen Wade ORANGE IS THE NEW BLACK (Netflix) UZO ADUBA / Suzanne “Crazy Eyes” Warren EMILY ALTHAUS / Maureen Kukudio DANIELLE BROOKS / Tasha “Taystee” Jefferson ROSAL COLÓN / Ouija JACKIE CRUZ / Marisol “Flaca” Gonzales FRANCESCA CURRAN / Helen Van Maele DANIELLA DE JESÚS / Zirconia LEA DeLARIA / Big Boo NICK DILLENBURG / CO Blake ASIA KATE DILLON / Brandy Epps BETH DOVER / Linda Ferguson KIMIKO GLENN / Brook Soso ANNIE GOLDEN / Norma Romano LAURA GÓMEZ / Blanca Flores DIANE GUERRERO / Maritza Ramos EVAN ARTHUR HALL / CO Stratman MICHAEL J. HARNEY / Sam Healy BRAD WILLIAM HENKE / Desi Piscatella MIKE HOUSTON / CO Lee Dixon VICKY JEUDY / Janae Watson KELLY KARBACZ / Kasey Sankey JULIE LAKE / Angie Rice SELENIS LEYVA / Gloria Mendoza NATASHA LYONNE / Nicky Nichols TARYN MANNING / Tiffany “Pennsatucky” Doggett ADRIENNE C. MOORE / Cindy Hayes MIRIAM MORALES / Pidge KATE MULGREW / Galina “Red” Reznikov EMMA MYLES / Leanne Taylor JOHN PALLADINO / Josh MATT PETERS / Joel Luschek JESSICA PIMENTEL / Maria Ruiz DASCHA POLANCO / Dayanara Diaz LAURA PREPON / Alex Vause JOLENE PURDY / Stephanie Hapakuka ELIZABETH RODRIGUEZ / Aleida Diaz NICK SANDOW / Joe Caputo ABIGAIL SAVAGE / Gina Murphy TAYLOR SCHILLING / Piper Chapman CONSTANCE SHULMAN / Yoga Jones DALE SOULES / Frieda Berlin YAEL STONE / Lorna Morello EMILY TARVER / CO Artesian McCullough MICHAEL TORPEY / CO Thomas Humphrey LIN TUCCI / Anita DeMarco VEEP (HBO) DAN BAKKEDAHL / Roger Furlong ANNA CHLUMSKY / Amy Brookheimer GARY COLE / Kent Davison MARGARET COLIN / Jane McCabe KEVIN DUNN / Ben Cafferty CLEA DUVALL / Marjorie Palmiotti NELSON FRANKLIN / Will TONY HALE / Gary Walsh JULIA LOUIS-DREYFUS / Selina Meyer SAM RICHARDSON / Richard Splett PAUL SCHEER / Stevie REID SCOTT / Dan Egan TIMOTHY SIMONS / Jonah Ryan SARAH SUTHERLAND / Catherine Meyer MATT WALSH / Mike McLintock Outstanding Action Performance by a Stunt Ensemble in a Comedy or Drama Series GAME OF THRONES (HBO) GLOW (Netflix) HOMELAND (Showtime) STRANGER THINGS (Netflix) THE WALKING DEAD (AMC) LIFE ACHIEVEMENT AWARD 54th Annual SAG Life Achievement Award MORGAN FREEMAN

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  • Beaufort International Film Festival Announces 2018 Finalists

    City of Joy directed by Madeleine Gavin
    City of Joy directed by Madeleine Gavin. (photo credit Paula J. Allen)

    The 12th Beaufort International Film Festival (BIFF) will host thousands of film lovers from February 21 to February 25, 2018, in the historic coastal town of Beaufort, SC.

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  • First Music Films Revealed for Scopitone Program of International Film Festival Rotterdam

    [caption id="attachment_25932" align="aligncenter" width="1200"]The Groove is Not Trivial The Groove is Not Trivial[/caption] The Scopitone program of the 47th International Film Festival Rotterdam will feature eight documentaries that view music as a social movement. Amidst a lively and inviting atmosphere with talks, bands and an open bar during the screening, visitors and experts alike explore the social significance of music. Among the confirmed titles are gems from all corners of the (music) world. The international premiere of The Ballad of Shirley Collins by Rob Curry and Tim Plester follows the iconic British folk singer Shirley Collins who tries to regain at a late age the voice she once lost. Bruk Out! A Dance Hall Queen Documentary by Cori McKenna gives a raw and energetic look into the lives of six powerful women striving to become Dance Hall Queens. Tommie Smith’s The Groove is Not Trivial is a story about cultural revival in which master fiddler Alasdair Fraser digs deep into his Scottish musical roots. And Olancho by Theodore Griswold and Christopher Valdes shows the dangerous world of narco ballads in Honduras. When groups like Los Plebes de Olancho sing for one drug cartel, they get threatened by another. Band member Manuel Chirinos felt forced to flee the country and tells his story.

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  • 2018 Locarno Festival’s Retrospective to Spotlight Genius of Leo McCarey

    [caption id="attachment_25927" align="aligncenter" width="1024"]"Liberty" with Laurel & Hardy “Liberty” with Laurel & Hardy[/caption] The Locarno Festival’s major Retrospective will be dedicated to three-time Oscar winner Leo McCarey (1898 – 1969), a director who left his indelible mark not only on comedy (with Laurel & Hardy, the Marx Brothers and Harold Lloyd) but also on classic drama (Cary Grant, Charles Laughton, Bing Crosby). The Retrospective follows on from the Festival’s tributes to other masters of the genre in recent years, such as Lubitsch, Minnelli, and Cukor. In the words of Artistic Director Carlo Chatrian, this event “will be an inspiration and a stimulus for new generations of viewers and filmmakers”. McCarey learned his trade during the 1920s at the Hal Roach Studios, initially as a gag writer before directing films. Roach and McCarey were key figures in the golden age of silent comedy in America, launching the successful careers of comedians such as Charley Chase and Max Davidson, as well as the insuperable stardom of Laurel & Hardy. Determined to create a more modern style of slapstick, McCarey established his hallmarks of sophisticated writing, innovative gestures, and elegant choreography. Graduating to full-length features as the sound era dawned, McCarey became a master of the screwball comedy, launching the career of Cary Grant in The Awful Truth (1937) and helming films hailed as milestones of the genre and starring some of its biggest names: Harold Lloyd and Mae West, Charles Laughton and Eddie Cantor, plus the Marx Brothers, who chose him to direct their masterpiece Duck Soup (1933). In the late Thirties and after the war, McCarey toned down the humorous element in his work and turned increasingly to drama, in movies that ranged in subject from romance to the religious life. Once again, in his late period, McCarey brought out the finest in his stars ­– Ingrid Bergman and Paul Newman, Bing Crosby and Deborah Kerr – and also rejoined forces with Cary Grant in such memorable pictures as Good Sam (1948) and An Affair to Remember (1957). Carlo Chatrian, Artistic Director of the Locarno Festival, comments: “Dedicating a Retrospective to Leo McCarey means first and foremost paying homage to a master of a genre that today has become increasingly rare. His films were big hits at the box office but were also well received by the critics and are now recognized, somewhat belatedly, as more complex and multi-layered than simple genre pieces. It is time for McCarey’s name to be awarded the status he deserves: we are fully convinced that his art, elegance, and sense of timing will be an inspiration and a stimulus for new generations of viewers and filmmakers. Lastly, on a more personal note, this Retrospective is also a tribute to a period of our own childhood which we all lived through, but perhaps have sometimes since forgotten: laughing with Laurel & Hardy does not just offer the sweet taste of nostalgia, but will also remind us of the visionary and beneficial power that comedy has always possessed.” Curated by Roberto Turigliatto, the Retrospective will be organized in partnership with the Cinémathèque suisse and the Cinémathèque française, with additional input from the Pordenone Silent Film Festival. It will be accompanied by a volume in English and French to be published by Capricci. Roberto Turigliatto, the curator of the Locarno Festival Retrospective, describes McCarey as “A man of many talents who began as the assistant to Tod Browning and became a director at the peak of the studio system, but also a secret personality still requiring critical assessment. He remains unparalleled in film history for the sublime alchemy of feelings and refined practice of comedy and melodrama that he brought to his great masterpieces such as Love Affair (1939). Make Way for Tomorrow (1937) was his personal favorite despite its failure with the public and can even be regarded as an astonishing precursor of Tôkyô monogatari (1953) by Yasujirô Ozu. The project will involve other major institutions in Switzerland and abroad, ensuring that the Retrospective will travel a circuit of prestigious venues worldwide until 2019. Partners already confirmed include: in Switzerland, the Cinémathèque suisse, Filmpodium in Zurich, Kino REX in Berne and Les Cinémas du Grütli in Geneva; in Italy, the National Cinema Museum in Turin and the I Milleocchi Festival in Trieste; in France, the Cinémathèque française. The 71st Locarno Festival will be held from August 1 to 11, 2018.

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  • 10 Live Action Short Films Advance in 90th Academy Awards Race

    ,
    [caption id="attachment_25921" align="aligncenter" width="1200"]The Eleven O’Clock - Derin Seale The Eleven O’Clock – Derin Seale[/caption] 10 live action short films will advance in the voting process for the 90th Academy Awards. A record 165 pictures had originally qualified in the category. Short Films and Feature Animation Branch members will now select five nominees from among the 10 titles on the shortlist. Nominations for the 90th Academy Awards will be announced on Tuesday, January 23, 2018. The 90th Oscars will be held on Sunday, March 4, 2018 and will be televised live on the ABC Television Network at 6:30 p.m. ET/3:30 p.m. PT. The 10 films are listed below in alphabetical order by title, with their production companies: “DeKalb Elementary,” Reed Van Dyk, director (UCLA) “The Eleven O’Clock,” Derin Seale, director (FINCH) “Facing Mecca,” Jan-Eric Mack, director, and Joël Jent, producer (Dschoint Ventschr Filmproduktion) “Icebox,” Daniel Sawka, director, and Camille Cornuel, producer (Iceboxthefilmco) “Lost Face,” Sean Meehan, director, and Sam McGarry, producer (Soma Films) “My Nephew Emmett,” Kevin Wilson, Jr., director (New York University) “Rise of a Star,” James Bort, director, and Boris Mendza, producer (Fulldawa Films) “The Silent Child,” Chris Overton, director, and Rachel Shenton, writer (Slick Films) “Watu Wote/All of Us,” Katja Benrath, director (Hamburg Media School) “Witnesses,” David Koch, director (Lux for Film, Diez Films and Paradoxal)  

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  • CALL ME BY YOUR NAME Leads Nominations for 2017 Chicago Film Critics Association Awards

    [caption id="attachment_25916" align="aligncenter" width="1200"]Call Me By Your Name Call Me By Your Name[/caption] Luca Guadagnino’s Call Me By Your Name, leads the nominations for the 2017 Chicago Film Critics Association awards with eight nods, including Best Picture, and Guadagnino for Best Director. Co-stars Armie Hammer and Michael Stuhlbarg were both nominated for Best Supporting Actor and young star Timothee Chalamet received dual nominations for Actor and Breakthrough Performer. Coming in second place in the nomination count with seven was The Shape of Water, visionary filmmaker Guillermo del Toro’s Cold War-era romantic fantasy. The film was nominated for Best Picture and del Toro received nods for Director and Original Screenplaywith co-writer Vanessa Taylor; while Sally Hawkins landed in the Best Actress category. Now in its 30th year, the CFCA will announce its winners during their year-end awards dinner to be held on December 12, 2017.

    2017 CHICAGO FILM CRITICS ASSOCIATION AWARD NOMINATIONS

    BEST PICTURE Call Me By Your Name Dunkirk Lady Bird The Shape of Water Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri BEST DIRECTOR Guillermo Del Toro (-) The Shape of Water Greta Gerwig (-) Lady Bird Luca Guadagnino (-) Call Me By Your Name Christopher Nolan (-) Dunkirk Jordan Peele (-) Get Out BEST ACTRESS Sally Hawkins (-) The Shape of Water Vicky Krieps (-) Phantom Thread Frances McDormand (-) Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri Margot Robbie (-) I, Tonya Saoirse Ronan (-) Lady Bird BEST ACTOR Timothee Chalamet (-) Call Me By Your Name Daniel Day-Lewis (-) Phantom Thread James Franco (-) The Disaster Artist Gary Oldman (-) Darkest Hour Harry Dean Stanton (-) Lucky BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS Mary J. Blige (-) Mudbound Holly Hunter (-) The Big Sick Allison Janney (-) I, Tonya Lesley Manville (-) Phantom Thread Laurie Metcalf (-) Lady Bird BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR Willem Dafoe (-) The Florida Project Armie Hammer (-) Call Me By Your Name Jason Mitchell (-) Mudbound Sam Rockwell (-) Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri Michael Stuhlbarg (-) Call Me By Your Name BEST ADAPTED SCREENPLAY Blade Runner 2049 (-) Hampton Fancher & Michael Green Call My By Your Name (-) James Ivory The Disaster Artist (-) Scott Neustadta & Michael H. Weber Logan (-) Scott Frank, James Mangold & Michael Green Mudbound (-) Virgil Williams & Dee Rees BEST ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY The Big Sick (-) Emily V. Gordon & Kumail Nanijani Get Out (-) Jordan Peele Lady Bird (-) Greta Gerwig Phantom Thread (-) Paul Thomas Anderson The Shape of Water (-) Guillermo del Toro and Vanessa Taylor Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri (-) Martin McDonagh BEST ANIMATED FILM The Breadwinner Coco The LEGO Batman Movie Loving Vincent Your Name BEST DOCUMENTARY Abacus: Small Enough to Jail City of Ghosts Ex Libris: New York Public Library Faces Places Jane Kedi BEST FOREIGN LANGUAGE FILM BPM (Beats Per Minute) A Fantastic Woman Loveless Raw The Square BEST ART DIRECTION Beauty and the Beast Blade Runner 2049 Dunkirk Phantom Thread The Shape of Water BEST EDITING Baby Driver (-) Jonathan Amos and Paul Machliss Call Me By Your Name (-) Walter Fasano Dunkirk (-) Lee Smith The Florida Project (-) Sean Baker Get Out (-) Gregory Plotkin BEST ORIGINAL SCORE Blade Runner 2049 (-) Benjamin Walifisch & Hans Zimmer Dunkirk (-) Hans Zimmer Phantom Thread (-) Johnny Greenwood The Shape of Water (-) Alexandre Desplat War For the Planet of the Apes (-) Michael Giacchino BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY Blade Runner 2049 (-) Roger Deakins Dunkirk (-) Hoyte Van Hoyteme The Florida Project (-) Alexis Zabe Mudbound (-) Rachel Morrison The Shape of Water (-) Dan Laustsen MOST PROMISING PERFORMER Timothee Chalamet, Call Me By Your Name Dafne Keen, Logan Jessie Pinnick, Princess Cyd Brooklynn Prince, The Florida Project Florence Pugh, Lady Macbeth Bria Vinaite, The Florida Project MOST PROMISING FILMMAKER Kogonada, Columbus Jordan Peele, Get Out Greta Gerwig, Lady Bird John Carroll Lynch, Lucky Julia Ducournau, Raw

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  • PHANTOM THREAD Named Best Movie of 2017 by Boston Society of Film Critics

    [caption id="attachment_25911" align="aligncenter" width="1200"]Phantom Thread Phantom Thread[/caption] Phantom Thread was named the Best Picture of 2017 by the Boston Society of Film Critics on Sunday, and the film’s director Paul Thomas Anderson was named Best Director.  The Square was voted Best Foreign-Language Film, and Dawson City: Frozen Time was named Best Documentary.

    2017 Boston Society of Film Critics Awards, Commendations and Rediscoveries

    Best Picture  –   Phantom Thread Best Actor – Daniel Kaluuya for Get Out Best Actress –  Sally Hawkins for The Shape of Water Best Supporting Actor –  Willem Dafoe for The Florida Project Best Supporting Actress –  Laurie Metcalf for Lady Bird Best Director – Paul Thomas Anderson for Phantom Thread Best Screenplay –  Greta Gerwig for Lady Bird Best Cinematography – Hoyte Van Hoytema for Dunkirk Best Documentary – Dawson City: Frozen Time Best Foreign-Language Film  (awarded in memory of Jay Carr) –  The Square Best Animated Film –  Coco Best Film Editing (awarded in memory of Karen Schmeer) –  David Lowery for A Ghost Story Best New Filmmaker (awarded in memory of David Brudnoy) –  Jordan Peele for Get Out Best Ensemble Cast –  The Meyerowitz Stories (New and Selected) Best Original Score –  Jonny Greenwood for Phantom Thread Best Film Series “A Year of Women in Cinema” at The Brattle Theatre “Hachimiri Madness! Japanese Independents from the Punk Years” at The Harvard Film Archive “Harry Dean Stanton: Say Something True” at The Museum of Fine Arts Boston “Frederick Wiseman: For the Record” at The Museum of Fine Arts Boston “Robert Mitchum Centennial Tribute” at The Brattle Theatre Best Rediscoveries Targets [1968, Peter Bogdanovich] at The Brattle Theatre The Loom [1986, Stan Brakhage] (“Stan Brakhage’s Metaphors on Vision”) at The Harvard Film Archive Seven Beauties [1975, Lina Wertmuller] (“The Films of Lina Wertmuller”) at The Brattle Theatre The Brig [1964, Jonas Mekas] (“Scenes from the Life of a Happy Man … The Films of Jonas Mekas”) at The Harvard Film Archive A Bay of Blood [1971, Mario Bava] (“Mario Bava and the Birth of Italian Giallo”) at The Brattle Theatre Retrospective of the Year (awarded in memory of David Pendleton) “The Complete Jean Renoir” at The Harvard Film Archive Commendations To The Brattle Theatre for ensuring that the iconic Boston movieThe Friends of Eddie Coyle can once again be seen by cinema audiences. With no prints to be found of the 1973 film starring Robert Mitchum, the Brattle convinced Paramount Pictures that there was demand for the picture and made a significant financial contribution to the studio’s creation of a DCP of the digital restoration that had been done for a DVD release. To Boston-based musicians and silent-film-music scholars Martin Marks, Robert Humphreville and Jeff Rapsis, whose live accompaniment at silent-film screenings have delighted Boston audiences for many years. Their artistry was particularly sublime this year during the silent component of The Harvard Film Archive’s “That Certain Feeling … The Touch of Ernst Lubitsch,” a series requiring music for broad comedies, extravagant adventures and subtle dramas. To the Waltham-based, artist-run film collective AgX Boston, for creating a space dedicated to fostering skill-building and interest in photochemical-based moving images through workshops, events and collaborative experimentation.

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  • DTLA Film Festival Reveals 2018 Dates

    DTLA Film Festival The DTLA Film Festival announced the 2018 dates for its 10th anniversary edition, and will take place October 17 to 21, 2018. The five-day event, scheduled for Regal L.A. LIVE and venues throughout downtown Los Angeles, is expected to screen more than 100 films of all genres from around world. With this announcement, the festival’s call for entries has officially begun. Submissions are now open, and filmmakers are invited to register their films of all genres online. Details are available on the festival’s website. Founded in 2008, DTLA Film Festival has become the single largest single film event in the historic center of Los Angeles. Over the past decade the festival has presented more than a thousand features and shorts, including narrative, documentary, experimental films and most recently, web series. “Over the past 10 years DTLA has become the new creative nexus of the Entertainment Capital of the World, and we’re thrilled to have been a foundational part of its thriving cultural landscape. We take our diversity mission very seriously, and will continue to strive vigorously to reflect this mandate in all aspects of our programming, during this next year and throughout the coming decade,” said festival director Greg Ptacek.

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  • THE SHAPE OF WATER Tops 75th Golden Globe Awards Nominations with 7 Nods | Complete List

    [caption id="attachment_25167" align="aligncenter" width="1200"]The Shape Of Water Sally Hawkins and Octavia Spencer in the film THE SHAPE OF WATER.[/caption] The Shape of Water leads the nominations for the 75th Golden Globe Awards announced live this morning with 7 nods including Best Motion Picture – Drama, and Best Director for Guillermo Del Toro. Other big winners include Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri with 6 nominations and Lady Bird with 4 nominations. The 75th Annual Golden Globe® Awards will air LIVE coast-to-coast on NBC Sunday, January 7, 2018, from 5-8PM PT/8-11PM ET from the Beverly Hilton Hotel with host Seth Meyers.

    75th Golden Globe Awards Nominations

    BEST MOTION PICTURE – DRAMA a. CALL ME BY YOUR NAME b. DUNKIRK c. THE POST d. THE SHAPE OF WATER e. THREE BILLBOARDS OUTSIDE EBBING, MISSOURI BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTRESS IN A MOTION PICTURE – DRAMA a. JESSICA CHASTAIN – MOLLY’S GAME b. SALLY HAWKINS – THE SHAPE OF WATER c. FRANCES MCDORMAND – THREE BILLBOARDS OUTSIDE EBBING, MISSOURI d. MERYL STREEP – THE POST e. MICHELLE WILLIAMS – ALL THE MONEY IN THE WORLD BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTOR IN A MOTION PICTURE – DRAMA a. TIMOTHÉE CHALAMET – CALL ME BY YOUR NAME b. DANIEL DAY-LEWIS – PHANTOM THREAD c. TOM HANKS – THE POST d. GARY OLDMAN – DARKEST HOUR e. DENZEL WASHINGTON – ROMAN J. ISRAEL, ESQ. BEST MOTION PICTURE – MUSICAL OR COMEDY a. THE DISASTER ARTIST b. GET OUT c. THE GREATEST SHOWMAN d. I, TONYA e. LADY BIRD BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTRESS IN A MOTION PICTURE – MUSICAL OR COMEDY a. JUDI DENCH – VICTORIA & ABDUL b. HELEN MIRREN – THE LEISURE SEEKER c. MARGOT ROBBIE – I, TONYA d. SAOIRSE RONAN – LADY BIRD e. EMMA STONE – BATTLE OF THE SEXES BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTOR IN A MOTION PICTURE – MUSICAL OR COMEDY a. STEVE CARELL – BATTLE OF THE SEXES b. ANSEL ELGORT – BABY DRIVER c. JAMES FRANCO – THE DISASTER ARTIST d. HUGH JACKMAN – THE GREATEST SHOWMAN e. DANIEL KALUUYA – GET OUT BEST MOTION PICTURE – ANIMATED a. THE BOSS BABY b. THE BREADWINNER c. COCO d. FERDINAND e. LOVING VINCENT BEST MOTION PICTURE – FOREIGN LANGUAGE a. A FANTASTIC WOMAN (CHILE) b. FIRST THEY KILLED MY FATHER (CAMBODIA) c. IN THE FADE (GERMANY / FRANCE) d. LOVELESS (RUSSIA) e. THE SQUARE (SWEDEN / GERMANY / FRANCE) BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTRESS IN A SUPPORTING ROLE IN ANY MOTION PICTURE a. MARY J. BLIGE – MUDBOUND b. HONG CHAU – DOWNSIZING c. ALLISON JANNEY – I, TONYA d. LAURIE METCALF – LADY BIRD e. OCTAVIA SPENCER – THE SHAPE OF WATER BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTOR IN A SUPPORTING ROLE IN ANY MOTION PICTURE a. WILLEM DAFOE – THE FLORIDA PROJECT b. ARMIE HAMMER – CALL ME BY YOUR NAME c. RICHARD JENKINS – THE SHAPE OF WATER d. CHRISTOPHER PLUMMER – ALL THE MONEY IN THE WORLD e. SAM ROCKWELL – THREE BILLBOARDS OUTSIDE EBBING, MISSOURI BEST DIRECTOR – MOTION PICTURE a. GUILLERMO DEL TORO – THE SHAPE OF WATER b. MARTIN MCDONAGH – THREE BILLBOARDS OUTSIDE EBBING, MISSOURI c. CHRISTOPHER NOLAN – DUNKIRK d. RIDLEY SCOTT – ALL THE MONEY IN THE WORLD e. STEVEN SPIELBERG – THE POST BEST SCREENPLAY – MOTION PICTURE a. GUILLERMO DEL TORO, VANESSA TAYLOR – THE SHAPE OF WATER b. GRETA GERWIG – LADY BIRD c. LIZ HANNAH, JOSH SINGER – THE POST d. MARTIN MCDONAGH – THREE BILLBOARDS OUTSIDE EBBING, MISSOURI e. AARON SORKIN – MOLLY’S GAME BEST ORIGINAL SCORE – MOTION PICTURE a. CARTER BURWELL – THREE BILLBOARDS OUTSIDE EBBING, MISSOURI b. ALEXANDRE DESPLAT – THE SHAPE OF WATER c. JONNY GREENWOOD – PHANTOM THREAD d. JOHN WILLIAMS – THE POST e. HANS ZIMMER – DUNKIRK BEST ORIGINAL SONG – MOTION PICTURE a. “HOME” — FERDINAND Music by: Nick Jonas, Justin Tranter, Nick Monson Lyrics by: Nick Jonas, Justin Tranter b. “MIGHTY RIVER” — MUDBOUND Music by: Raphael Saadiq Lyrics by: Mary J. Blige, Raphael Saadiq, Taura Stinson c. “REMEMBER ME” — COCO Music by: Kristen Anderson-Lopez and Robert Lopez Lyrics by: Kristen Anderson-Lopez and Robert Lopez d. “THE STAR” — THE STAR Music by: Mariah Carey, Marc Shaiman Lyrics by: Mariah Carey, Marc Shaiman e. “THIS IS ME” — THE GREATEST SHOWMAN Music by: Benj Pasek, Justin Paul Lyrics by: Benj Pasek, Justin Paul BEST TELEVISION SERIES – DRAMA a. THE CROWN – NETFLIX b. GAME OF THRONES – HBO c. THE HANDMAID’S TALE – HULU d. STRANGER THINGS – NETFLIX e. THIS IS US – NBC BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTRESS IN A TELEVISION SERIES – DRAMA a. CAITRIONA BALFE – OUTLANDER b. CLAIRE FOY – THE CROWN c. MAGGIE GYLLENHAAL – THE DEUCE d. KATHERINE LANGFORD – 13 REASONS WHY e. ELISABETH MOSS – THE HANDMAID’S TALE BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTOR IN A TELEVISION SERIES – DRAMA a. JASON BATEMAN – OZARK b. STERLING K. BROWN – THIS IS US c. FREDDIE HIGHMORE – THE GOOD DOCTOR d. BOB ODENKIRK – BETTER CALL SAUL e. LIEV SCHREIBER – RAY DONOVAN BEST TELEVISION SERIES – MUSICAL OR COMEDY a. BLACK-ISH ABC b. THE MARVELOUS MRS. MAISEL AMAZON c. MASTER OF NONE NETFLIX d. SMILF SHOWTIME e. WILL & GRACE NBC BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTRESS IN A TELEVISION SERIES –MUSICAL OR COMEDY a. PAMELA ADLON – BETTER THINGS b. ALISON BRIE – GLOW c. RACHEL BROSNAHAN – THE MARVELOUS MRS. MAISEL d. ISSA RAE – INSECURE e. FRANKIE SHAW – SMILF BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTOR IN A TELEVISION SERIES – MUSICAL OR COMEDY a. ANTHONY ANDERSON – BLACK-ISH b. AZIZ ANSARI – MASTER OF NONE c. KEVIN BACON – I LOVE DICK d. WILLIAM H. MACY – SHAMELESS e. ERIC MCCORMACK – WILL & GRACE BEST TELEVISION LIMITED SERIES OR MOTION PICTURE MADE FOR TELEVISION a. BIG LITTLE LIES – HBO b. FARGO – FX c. FEUD: BETTE AND JOAN – FX d. THE SINNER – USA NETWORK e. TOP OF THE LAKE: CHINA GIRL – SUNDANCETV BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTRESS IN A LIMITED SERIES OR A MOTION PICTURE MADE FOR TELEVISION a. JESSICA BIEL – THE SINNER b. NICOLE KIDMAN – BIG LITTLE LIES c. JESSICA LANGE – FEUD: BETTE AND JOAN d. SUSAN SARANDON – FEUD: BETTE AND JOAN e. REESE WITHERSPOON – BIG LITTLE LIES BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTOR IN A LIMITED SERIES OR A MOTION PICTURE MADE FOR TELEVISION a. ROBERT DE NIRO – THE WIZARD OF LIES b. JUDE LAW – THE YOUNG POPE c. KYLE MACLACHLAN – TWIN PEAKS d. EWAN MCGREGOR – FARGO e. GEOFFREY RUSH – GENIUS BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTRESS IN A SUPPORTING ROLE IN A SERIES, LIMITED SERIES OR MOTION PICTURE MADE FOR TELEVISION a. LAURA DERN – BIG LITTLE LIES b. ANN DOWD – THE HANDMAID’S TALE c. CHRISSY METZ – THIS IS US d. MICHELLE PFEIFFER – THE WIZARD OF LIES e. SHAILENE WOODLEY – BIG LITTLE LIES BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTOR IN A SUPPORTING ROLE IN A SERIES, LIMITED SERIES OR MOTION PICTURE MADE FOR TELEVISION a. DAVID HARBOUR – STRANGER THINGS b. ALFRED MOLINA – FEUD: BETTE AND JOAN c. CHRISTIAN SLATER – MR. ROBOT d. ALEXANDER SKARSGÅRD – BIG LITTLE LIES e. DAVID THEWLIS – FARGO

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  • THE FLORIDA PROJECT Producers Kevin Chinoy and Francesca Silvestri to Receive Miami Film Festival’s Precious Gem Award

    [caption id="attachment_25901" align="aligncenter" width="1200"]The Florida Project The Florida Project[/caption] Miami-based independent producing partners Kevin Chinoy and Francesca Silvestri, producers on Sean Baker’s The Florida Project, will receive the Precious Gem Award at the 2018 Miami Film Festival, to be held March 9 to 18, 2018. The Florida Project was released by A24 in October and is currently playing in theaters nationwide. The film was recently nominated for two Spirit Awards including Best Feature, winning Best Director and Best Supporting Actor accolades (Willem Dafoe) from New York Film Critics Circle, Best Supporting Actor and Best Picture (Runner-up) from Los Angeles Film Critics Circle and winning Top Ten Film and Best Supporting Actor from National Board of Review. Chinoy and Silvestri also worked on Baker’s previous features Starlet and Tangerine, as well as dozens of other projects, including the directorial debuts of women filmmakers including Jennifer Aniston, Gwyneth Paltrow, Kate Hudson, Demi Moore, Courteney Cox, Rachel Weisz, Jessica Biel, Eva Mendes, Alicia Keys, Kirsten Dunst, Bryce Dallas Howard, Rita Wilson, Trudie Styler, Zoe Saldana, Olivia Wilde, Ashley Judd, Laura Dern, and Eva Longoria. “Kevin and Francesca’s association with Miami Dade College’s Miami Film Festival traces back a full decade, from their work to bring Kate Hudson to our 2008 Festival with her film ‘Cutlass’ and Demi Moore in 2009 with her film ‘Streak’”, said Festival director Jaie Laplante. “They are the behind-the-scenes heroes who we wish to put center stage and honor as the Precious Gems that they are – without their commitment and determination to bring original independent visions to realization, many of the films they have worked on might never have been made and enjoyed.” The Precious Gem Award presentation will be made at the Festival’s Awards Night Gala on March 17, 2018. Leading up to the ceremony, Chinoy and Silvestri will participate in a Producer’s Master Class at the Festival where they will candidly discuss the challenges and lessons from over 20 years of experience in the world of independent film production. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WwQ-NH1rRT4

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  • Dee Rees’s MUDBOUND will Close 2017 Bahamas International Film Festival

    Mudbound The highly acclaimed drama Mudbound, directed by Dee Rees, will be the official closing night film at this year’s 2017 Bahamas International Film Festival. Carey Mulligan, Mary J. Blige, Jason Clarke, Garrett Hedlund, Jonathan Banks and Jason Mitchell lead the ensemble cast of “Mudbound.” Set in the rural American South during World War II, Dee Rees’ “Mudbound” is an epic story of two families pitted against one another by a ruthless social hierarchy, yet bound together by the shared farmland of the Mississippi Delta. Mudbound follows the McAllan family, newly transplanted from the quiet civility of Memphis and unprepared for the harsh demands of farming. Despite the grandiose dreams of Henry (Jason Clarke), his wife Laura (Carey Mulligan) struggles to keep the faith in her husband’s losing venture. Meanwhile, Hap and Florence Jackson (Rob Morgan and Mary J. Blige), sharecroppers who have worked the land for generations, struggle bravely to build a small dream of their own despite the rigidly enforced social barriers they face. The war upends both families’ plans as their returning loved ones, Jamie McAllan (Garrett Hedlund) and Ronsel Jackson (Jason Mitchell), forge a fast but uneasy friendship that challenges the brutal realities of the Jim Crow South in which they live. The official closing night screening of “Mudbound” will take place on Sunday, December 17th at the Baha Mar in Nassau. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xucHiOAa8Rs The 2017 Bahamas International Film Festival takes place from December 10 to 13 in Harbour Island and December 14 to 17 in Nassau.

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